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Metro Macon's unemployment rate increased to 8.2 percent in June, up from 7.9 percent in May.

The rate was 9.4 percent in June 2013, according to a Georgia Department of Labor news release.

The unemployment rate for the Middle Georgia region increased also to 8.3 percent in June, the news release states. It was 7.9 percent in May, but it was 9.4 percent in June 2013.

The rates increased because of seasonal factors, such as the summer job loss among non-contract school workers, the news release states.

In the Middle Georgia region, the labor force grew by 166, up to 227,391 from 227,225 in May.

In Metro Macon there were 98,900 jobs in June, down by 200, or 0.2 percent, from 99,100 in May. Most of the job loss came in educational and health services and local education, the news release states.

However, there was an over-the-year gain of 500 jobs, or 0.5 percent, from 98,400 in June 2013. The primary growth was in professional and business services and trade and transportation.

Also, there were 917 new claims for unemployment insurance filed in June, a decrease of 17, or 1.8 percent, from 934 in May. Most of the decrease in claims came in accommodation and food services. There were 1,168 claims filed in June 2013.

The labor force grew by 41 to 110,750 from 110,709 in May, the news release states.

Metro Athens had the lowest unemployment rate in June at 6.3 percent.

The Heart of Georgia Altamaha Region had the highest at 10.4 percent.

Georgia as a whole recorded a 7.4 percent unemployment rate in June, up from 7.2 percent in May. The state's rate was 8.4 percent in May 2013, the news release states.